How are deacons suppose to dress?

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I notice that you are in my diocese. So this would be the rule that our diocese has? Hmm, I’ve seen a few deacons not even wear the collar and just throw on their liturgical attire on top of their average joe clothes. I’ve also seen some priests who don’t even wear the collar and do the same as some of the deacons I’ve mentioned.

While I am in your diocese I do not know what the official rule of the Diocese of Tucson is as I do not work with any permanent deacons of the diocese and its rules would not affect me as I am in an order of pontifical right. I am also a Byzantine (Ruthenian) Catholic so I would look to Bishop Gerald of the Holy Protection of Mary Byzantine Eparchy of Phoenix.

My situation can be a little confusing.

 

[Sir_Knight]

I thought that only black clerical shirts are allowed in America.

Our parish priest wears the grey clerical shirt (with collar minus the deacon symbol) as his casual dress shirt and the black as his formal dress shirt.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Our parish priest wears the grey clerical shirt (with collar minus the deacon symbol) as his casual dress shirt and the black as his formal dress shirt.

I’ve seen both the gray shirt and the black shirt worn, although the predominant color is black. However, I have seen priests of certain orders who wear blue clerical shirts-- I assume that the order has the right to choose the clothing color rather than the Bishop.

 

[malphono]

I’ve seen both the gray shirt and the black shirt worn, although the predominant color is black. However, I have seen priests of certain orders who wear blue clerical shirts-- I assume that the order has the right to choose the clothing color rather than the Bishop.

And I’ve seen (and personally know) diocesan priests who wear those awful shirts in various shades of blue (ranging from powder to sky to royal to navy). I’ve also encountered them in white and pale green.

 

[Young_Thinker]

Our parish priest wears the grey clerical shirt (with collar minus the deacon symbol) as his casual dress shirt and the black as his formal dress shirt.

Interesting. If the ferrailuolo is the equivalent of white tie, it might look nice for a priest to wear a gray shirt with a black cummerbund and dinner jacket for a black-tie occasion. I hope that I am not straying off-topic.

 

[Joannm]

My wife and I went for a walk at a local park last night. It was a very warm evening, and as we walked past the tennis courts who did we see playing? One of the deacons from the parish where we attend mass - wearing nothing but tennis shorts and shoes. I just waved and thought nothing of it. My life-long Catholic wife, however, was a bit weird-ed out. Yes, she admitted, he’s just a guy playing tennis on a hot evening…but he’s a DEACON with no shirt!!!

Years ago one of the priests i worked with used to play basketball in the parking lot (after school hours) wearing shorts and sneakers but no shirt. He happened to be in very good shape, if you know what I mean. The hoops were just outside one of our offices and one day I was sitting with one of my co-workers and were watching Father play. After awhile we realized we were sorting of enjoying watching him, so we yelled out the window for him to put on a shirt becaue he was becomming an occasion of sin for us. he just laughed and continued playing.

 

[Al1458]

It all depends on the diocese. In the Archdiocese of Washington, when performing diaconal duties, deacons should wear the appropriate clerical attire. For the ADW, it is black suit, grey shirt w/Roman Collar. Some dioceses do not allow it, some are very restrictive, some use different color shirts (grey or blue) and some dress just like priests.

 

[FAB]

Although Perminate Deacons are allowed under Canon law to were the Roman Collar, the final decision is up to the local ordinary.
My bishop only allows it for very specific ministries, hospital and prison, then only when they are actually working in that ministery. Grey shirt with the deaconal symbol.
Otherwise, buisness dress, with deaconal lapel pin or cross when in ministery outside of mass.
At mass the deacon is to dress in alb, stole and dalamatic. Just the alb and stole is allowable for lesser ceremonies.

Peace,
FAB

 

[FAB]

My wife and I went for a walk at a local park last night. It was a very warm evening, and as we walked past the tennis courts who did we see playing? One of the deacons from the parish where we attend mass - wearing nothing but tennis shorts and shoes. I just waved and thought nothing of it. My life-long Catholic wife, however, was a bit weird-ed out. Yes, she admitted, he’s just a guy playing tennis on a hot evening…but he’s a DEACON with no shirt!!!

Come on! Deacons are people too!

 

[JerryCato]

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops, in thier document, The National Directory for the Formation of Deacons in the United States, have addressed this issue. It is quite thoughtful about the ministry of the deacon in the secular world, giving consideration to his role in the Church, workplace, and family.

The directive seems to ask deacons to wear secular clothing, and only wear clerical garb were approved, and when representing the Church in an official capacity. It reads as clerical attire being the exception and not the rule.

Here is the quote from the document:
The Code of Canon Law does not oblige permanent deacons to wear an ecclesiastical garb. Further, because they are prominent and active in secular professions and society, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops specifies that permanent deacons should resemble the faithful in dress and matters of lifestyle. Each diocesan bishop should, however, determine and promulgate any exceptions to this law, as well as specify the appropriate clerical attire if it is to be worn.
.

Dcn Jerry

 

[ZxM]

our priest dresses/looks like a cross between jerry garcia and jimmy buffet if that gives any clues to how our deacon dresses.

 

[Young_Thinker]

our priest dresses/looks like a cross between jerry garcia and jimmy buffet if that gives any clues to how our deacon dresses.

Haha! That is too bad, though.

 

[JimmyBru]

I am in Diaconate Formation here in my diocese and nearing ordination on December 11th. We have discussed this in length with our group and most agree with our Bishop’s choice of not allowing Permanent Deacons to wear clericals. The Deacons here wear a collared shirt with the Deacon logo on the left side (any color) and black pants when attending any function. A coat and tie for formal settings is permissible, but a Deacon pin must be visible. The idea is to not confuse the Deacon with the priest. While most Deacon’s will correct people on that, some don’t and thus confusion.

It would be nice for people to readily recognize a Deacon in secular settings, but it isn’t necessary. A Deacons actions and demeanor should be different enough for people to recognize a man of God.

That being said, our seminarians can wear clericals, but must use the black Roman cassock with collar. The priests wear the black collard shirts and black pants. (Except for our Irish clergy who wear green on occasion and some from Trinidad and Uganda who wear white)

Now for mass, the Deacons here wear a white alb and Deacon’s stole of the appropriate liturgical color. A Dalmatic is supplied for Diocesan events and others can be worn for mass as long as they match in color with the Priestly Chasuble. Most of our Deacons here don’t wear Dalmatics often. Being in South Louisiana, the less you wear the better.

Outside of any function, Deacons should be mindful of who they are in the community. I wouldn’t think of going without a shirt (body shape doesn’t allow it), but shorts and sandals are not out of the question. Some of our priests dress casually on their day off, but most stay in form.

I hope this gives you information to use.

God Bless

 

[Chatter163]

Why is this bishop so nervous about deacons being mistaken for priests but not seminarians?

 

[JimmyBru]

Believe me, our bishop is not nervous at all. It’s just that some time back (70’s or 80’s) a mistake was made and adjustments followed. Since then the standard has remained.

Seminarians are advised to let everyone know and not to be called Father. Our current seminarians are very good about this and are excellent role models for our youth in their journey to ordination.

Also the age difference helps in this. An older man as a Deacon wearing a collar is more apt to be called father than a very young man in a cassock.

Hope this clears up things!

Peace and all good!

 

[MarkThompson]

Why is this bishop so nervous about deacons being mistaken for priests but not seminarians?

No one confesses to a seminarian, and things that they do don’t generally get circulated on the internet with headlines frantically announcing doomsday.

Just two thoughts for you.

 

[Al1458]

It is interesting how different dioceses think. Our class, as well as most other clergy here, feel deacons should wear clerics when performing their visible ministry as a way of showing the church in action. While I would agree that our actions and demeanor should reflect our order, there are many lay people, especially third-order religious, who have similar demeanors.

Let us not forget that deacons are clergy, and seminarians are not. Our diocese reserves the grey shirt w/collar for deacons, so confusion is minimal. While many do not wear dalmatics, more are wearing them since canon law highly encourages it. I am confused with a priest FAR more after mass wearing a dalmatic than when wearing grey clerics.

I have also found wearing clerics at the hospital, nursing home, and on Sunday mornings allows better access to those in need and invites a lot of discussion. Just another observation.

Pax

 

[JimmyBru]

It is interesting how different dioceses think. Our class, as well as most other clergy here, feel deacons should wear clerics when performing their visible ministry as a way of showing the church in action. While I would agree that our actions and demeanor should reflect our order, there are many lay people, especially third-order religious, who have similar demeanors.

Let us not forget that deacons are clergy, and seminarians are not. Our diocese reserves the grey shirt w/collar for deacons, so confusion is minimal. While many do not wear dalmatics, more are wearing them since canon law highly encourages it. I am confused with a priest FAR more after mass wearing a dalmatic than when wearing grey clerics.

I have also found wearing clerics at the hospital, nursing home, and on Sunday mornings allows better access to those in need and invites a lot of discussion. Just another observation.

Pax

I really agree with you in this. It is better for the Church to have a visible presence in the world, especially when ministering to people. Wearing clericals in and around ministry sites will invite discussion and conversation. But in obedience to the local Ordinary, we cheerfully invite people into conversation about Christ no matter what we wear. It’s all about service - Diakonia!

Great observation though!

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

No one confesses to a seminarian, and things that they do don’t generally get circulated on the internet with headlines frantically announcing doomsday.

Just two thoughts for you.

I’m with those who feel that deacons in the Roman collar - in specific, defined circumstances such as wakes and committals - make the Church’s ministry visible in a society where symbols of faith are getting harder to find. With so many seminarians being of “advanced age” these days (what used to be called “delayed vocations”), I would think that a seminarian in the collar could very frequently be mistaken for a priest. Are people on the street randomly confessing to someone in a collar a big problem where you live? Is there a concern that deacons will start inhabiting reconciliation rooms or confessionals?

If a deacon can’t be trusted not to pass himself off as a priest, not to gently correct people who mistake him for a priest, or not to act in a way (whilst wearing the collar) that would discredit the Church, then there’s a bigger problem than the collar, and that problem is one that simply withholding the collar won’t fix.

 

[Phemie]

I’m with those who feel that deacons in the Roman collar - in specific, defined circumstances such as wakes and committals - make the Church’s ministry visible in a society where symbols of faith are getting harder to find. With so many seminarians being of “advanced age” these days (what used to be called “delayed vocations”), I would think that a seminarian in the collar could very frequently be mistaken for a priest. Are people on the street randomly confessing to someone in a collar a big problem where you live? Is there a concern that deacons will start inhabiting reconciliation rooms or confessionals?

Let’s just say that our parish’s summer placement seminarian who shows up for Mass in soutane & collar is much more likely to be mistaken for a priest than the pastor is. In fact, it happens regularly. I don’t think anybody has approached him for Confession though.